Have you ever traveled in a taxi or a cab and found out that you have no money? Well, this book had the same interesting setting for you. The Cabby Seat by O Henry offers a plot that involves the encounter of a cab driver with a passenger. She turned out a character that added value to this book.
In this article, I am going to share the valuable stuff related to this reading. The article includes:
- Author
- Characters
- Summary
- Analysis
- Themes
- Lessons
- Conclusion
Author
It’s another fascinating literary storybook by O Henry. He was a prominent American story writer. He presented great works that define the meaning of love, kindness, honesty, and courage. Some best O Henry short stories are:
Characters
This story is about a woman who takes a ride in a cab driven by a man who races horses.
Jerry O Donovans
He is a horse rider or cab driver in the story. You will read in this book that the driver views every person as a fare or passenger. He regards people from his seat with disdain.
Norah Walsh
A mysterious woman in the book who came as a passenger. Her identity amazed me while reading this story.
From The Cabby’s Seat Summary
O Henry had introduced us to a cab driver named Jerry at the start. The cabby sees everyone from his seat as a passenger or fare. He considers passengers nothing but just a thing to transport from one location to another. Further, if one pays him, one will respect him. If one has no money to pay cabby, it will be his last day.
The cab only stops when the driver stops his horse. Moreover, it has a box that allows communication between the driver and the fare. The story adds interest when Jerry is outside McGary Restaurant. There were sounds of cheer coming from Walsh’s house. The neighbors seemed happy. The author revealed it was a marriage of Norah Walsh. She was the daughter of this family. Jerry drank alcohol while his horse waited outside. The horse was in good health.
A woman came to Jerry and told him to take him anywhere. Jerry started his cab and took her to a park. She enjoyed the nature. Then, she went to a casino restaurant. She bought some drinks with her little money. All the restaurant patrons saw the lively woman as a queen as she handed a piece of paper with her cab number on it and called Jerry.
Then, When Jerry asked the woman about money, she offered him a few cents instead of four dollars. This had angered Jerry. He ran his horse and both ended up in the police station. Jerry told the cop he had a passenger and stopped. The alcohol’s effect wore off and Jerry regained his senses. He smiled and stopped speaking. He changed the story he was telling to the cop and revealed that the passenger was his wife. She was Norah Walsh, who had recently married Jerry.
Analysis
This story by O Henry offers humor and finding joy in small things. Jerry was drunk in his moment of joy. He realizes his wife at the end when the effect of the drink ends or vanishes. Further, the women in the story were full of joy and simplicity. She went to places and found peace in everything.
- The author presented his view about cab drivers of the previous century. They viewed every individual as a potential passenger who could pay them. Passengers are nothing to drivers.
Themes
The major themes are:
Loneliness
The driver and passenger in the story were searching for a connection. They both were looking for peace.
Humor
The twist at the ending had a humor element for readers.
Social Perception
A perception of the different working classes is being elucidated. People had different narratives for one another.
Life Lessons
The life lessons are:
- Make sure not to judge anyone on appearances.
- Sometimes human communication can break many barriers.
- Hard work is important in life like Cabby in the story.
Conclusion: From The Cabby’s Seat Summary
In a nutshell, I discussed the summary and analysis From The Cabby Seat By O Henry. The plot involves a cab driver Jerry who had picked a mysterious woman as a fare or passenger. The women visited many locations with him. Her identity in the book has shocked readers and adds interest for book lovers.
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